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97
As new items of nursing equipment become available, they
are tested and, if found suitable, are introduced into the service.
In this category came Sorbo Rings which were brought into use
as aids complementary to the Inflatable Air Rings. In addition,
the new P.C.P. Nursing Mattress was introduced later in the year
and, although there has been insufficient time finally to judge the
suitability of this item of equipment, all signs point to its being a
most useful addition to the range of articles available.
It is difficult to estimate future expansion but there is no doubt
that there exists an increasing demand for the service and at the
end of the year there were over 600 Borough residents with one
or more items on loan.
Home Help Service
When such a service was introduced in the Borough prior to
the last war it was intended primarily for assistance in domiciliary
maternity cases. However, due to the fact that, for various reasons,
the bulk of confinements now take place in hospitals or maternity
homes, the main emphasis of the domestic help service is directed
towards the aged infirm and chronic sick.
In recent years, great difficulty has been experienced in enrolling
suitable persons for this important kind of community service,
the nature of which is predominantly part-time.

Home Help Course—In May, 1965, twelve home helps
attended a one week course of lectures, films and demonstrations
at the Health and Welfare department. This course, arranged by
the Chief Nursing Officer, was designed to fit home helps to cope
with difficult and problem families. Subsequent courses will be
held to prepare carefully selected home helps to act as 'child helps'.